When: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2:30p.m. CT
Where: Champaign, IL; Memorial Stadium (60,670)
TV: BTN
Radio: Badger Sports Network
Last Meeting: Wisconsin Win, 38-38 (Oct. 11, 2014)
All-Time Series: Wisconsin leads, 38-36-7
1 Burning Question: Can Wisconsin Find a Consistent Run Game?
It seems like this is the question that has been waiting to be answered all season, and it really has been interesting to watch. However, Wisconsin’s rushing attack just hasn’t been able to be consistent since it busted out for over 300 yards against Hawaii. Since that contest, Wisconsin has averaged just 109.6 yards per game on the ground.
That includes just one contest where UW has rushed for over 100 yards as a team. It rushed for the second and third-worst totals of the season in two of the last three weeks (86 yards against Iowa and 96 yards against Purdue last week). If Wisconsin wants to continue to stay in the Big Ten West race, something needs to happen in the run game. Will UW take advantage of an Illini rush defense that ranks just eighth in the conference?
No Corey Clement or Taiwan Deal will certainly make that interesting.
2 Key Stats:
— 4-0: That is Joel Stave’s record against Purdue, and the record he could hold with a win against Illinois. As the Badgers senior quarterback continues to climb up the record book, he managed to gain a record all his own last weekend, becoming the first quarterback to go 4-0 against Purdue in his career. A win on Saturday in Champaign would also give Stave a 4-0 record against Illinois, something that also has never been done before.
— 35.0: That is the average number of pass attempts by the Badgers per game. Yes, Wisconsin is averaging 35 passes per game, easily the highest average of the last 20-plus seasons. The next closest was the 2001 season, when the Badgers averaged 27.4 pass attempts per game. To put it all in perspective, Wisconsin is averaging 23.7 passes per game since 1996. Let’s just say, as the passing game goes, so goes Wisconsin’s offense.
3 Staff Predictions:
Andy: 38-17 Wisconsin (6-1 season record)
Nate: 21-17 Illinois (5-2 season record)
Sawyer: (6-1 season record)
4 Players to Watch:
Alec Ingold, RB: The true freshman has had one heck of a journey to this point in his career already. However, he’s emerging as a clutch performer in short-yardage and goal-to-go situations for the Badgers. His ability to get the tough yards is something the run game has missed the last few seasons, and it continues to get him added carries in the run game. With this contest likely to be a bit of a slog thanks to the weather, Ingold’s ability to get the little things right could come in handy.
Tanner McEvoy, S: As much talk as there was about McEvoy the wide receiver, it has been McEvoy the safety that has been the most valuable to the Badgers so far in 2015. He’ll get a big time test of his range and his coverage ability in this game thanks to Illinois’ pass-happy offense. McEvoy needs to be assignment sure and needs to wrap up on his tackles if UW is going to avoid a shoutout in Champaign.
Michael Deiter, C/RG: Wisconsin won’t know if star center Dan Voltz will be a go until closer to game time, which means we could be seeing Deiter slide in to the middle for the second straight week. His ability to be a utility man is vital to the Badgers having any sort of continuity along the offensive line. Look for Deiter to play a huge role in what the Badgers are able to do on offense.
Drew Meyer, P: Last weekend was a brutal one for the senior punter, and for a lot in the Badger fan base he can’t be out of a Badger uniform fast enough. After all, his average of 38.3 yards per punt put him second to last in the Big Ten. However, the history of this game says something will come in to play on special teams. That means look for Meyer’s punting average and ability to consistently pin the Illini inside the 20-yard line to play a crucial role.
5 Bold Prognostications (That May Or May Not Come True):
— Joe Schobert Takes Over National Lead in Tackles for Loss: There is a race for the best in the Big Ten, and also the nation, in tackles for loss. That competition is between Penn State’s Carl Nassib (15.5) and Schobert (14.5). The Illini offensive line is going to get worked over and with the Illini’s pass-happy offense there will be plenty of opportunities for plays behind the line of scrimmage (mainly sacks against the QB). With just a one-tfl difference between the two national leaders, look for Schobert to have a big day and take over the national lead.
— Dare Ogunbowale Goes for Over 150 Yards: It seems like we’re just waiting on a break-out game from any one of the Badgers backs. However, no Clement or Deal means the majority of carries are going to go to Ogunbowale. It also means he’s got a shot to shatter his career high in rushing. With the Illini defense susceptible to rushing attacks, this could be the week Wisconsin’s run game comes out of its shell in Big Ten play.
— T.J. Edwards Continues to Shine: Apparently the coaching staff challenged the redshirt freshman to step his game up ahead of the Purdue game…16 tackles later, it was safe to say Edwards did just that. Now it is all about becoming a more consistent performer. With Schobert and Vince Biegel doing work on the outside, a lot of the stuff is going to flow to the middle. Look for Edwards to be the clean up hitter in the front seven if you will. It will all lead to Edwards continuing his campaign for Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors.
— Wes Lunt Passes for Under 200 Yards: For all the talk of Wes Lunt’s passing ability, one thing shows up when you look at the stat sheet — he’s been wildly inconsistent. Lunt has passed for over 300 yards just twice, which is also as many times as he’s passed for fewer than 200 yards on the season. Wisconsin’s defense has given pass-happy offenses all sorts of trouble thanks to Aranda’s exotic blitz schemes and the increased athletic ability in the front seven overall. Watch that come in to big effect today, and Lunt to be taken out of this contest as a viable threat.
— Troy Fumagalli Will Get A TD Catch: As the season has gone on, Fumagalli has gotten to be a much bigger part of the Badgers passing attack. He’s become a go-to guy on third down and this appears to be a game ripe for Fumagalli to also become a big target inside the red zone as well. He’s got 14 receptions, but just one touchdown. That changes on Saturday against Illinois.
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